Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has a wealth of riches to choose from for Saturday’s Championship clash with Portsmouth at Upton Park.

CommentsEmailPrintGot a story?..To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in... formation 1The inevitable departure of Scott Parker to Spurs last week freed up a place in the West Ham midfield, but the huge influx of new players at Upton Park is likely to give manager Sam Allardyce plenty to ponder over the next couple of months.

West Ham thumped Nottingham Forest 4-1 at the City Ground without Parker and Allardyce is likely to opt for a similar team to the one that triumphed on that day when Portsmouth arrive on Saturday.

Jack Collison’s virus may mean he misses out, but there may be plenty of others who find their places under threat as West Ham look to build a squad that will make sure of automatic promotion.

The arrival of Sam Baldock from MK Dons allows Allardyce to prompt for a 4-4-2 system if he chooses, something that should be effective at Upton Park at least.

formation 2 copyBut Baldock may well have to wait to make his starting debut with the boss likely to stick to his tried and trusted 4-5-1 (or 4-3-3 as he prefers to call it) system.

It is in central midfield, the position vacated by Parker that there are so many permutations to look at.

Captain Kevin Nolan seems the only player who gains an automatic selection, though anybody who saw him against Leeds United and Aldershot may want to question that assumption.

But who will play alongside Nolan in the 4-5-1 formation?

So far, Mark Noble has played in the defensive position, but he has found it difficult to assert himself. Collison played against Forest, but still looks a little short of match fitness, as well as only just recovering from a virus in time to play for Wales against England at Wembley on Tuesday night.

So if Nolan is a shoe-in, which two other players will fit in alongside him?

Papa Bouba Diop could provide the muscle that would enable Nolan to roam forward more often, while Joey O’Brien may also come into the equation if Guy Demel is brought in at right back.

O’Brien has certainly impressed as a makeshift full back, while Demel can also play in the centre of defence or even at left back, but it seems logical that the Irishman will have to make way, though perhaps not immediately.

Henri Lansbury is the other new Iron in the fire. The talented teenager is starring for the England under-21s at the moment and helped Norwich City into the Premier League last term and his goals from midfield could be irresistable for Allardyce to resist.

On the right side there is also a little conundrum. If David Bentley had arrived at the start of the season then he would have walked staight into the side, but Frenchman Julien Faubert has shown what he has to offer in the last couple of games and that cannot be overlooked.

Bentley’s arrival may hasten a loan departure for Faubert, but until such time he probably deserves to keep his starting place.

Like Nolan, as well as keeper Rob Green, of course, Matt Taylor seems to be the other automatic choice, such has been his potency from set-pieces.

Baldock would be an obvious replacement for him in a 4-5-1, but that is unlikely to happen unless the former Bolton man is injured.

And that leaves us up front. Baldock would come in if West Ham opt for a 4-4-2, but otherwise, Allardyce has a straight choice between Carlton Cole, Freddie Piquionne and John Carew.

With two games a week a common occurrence the trio are likely to alternate to a certain extent, but Cole is the man with the shirt having scored three goals in three starts and there seems little or no reason to take it off him.

On paper West Ham look to have by far the strongest squad in the division, now they must convert that to more results on the field and a charge for the Championship title.

QPR owner Tony Fernandes is continuing his bid to tempt former England captain David Beckham to Loftus Road. Fernandes revealed on his Twitter page that he has always wanted to sign a player of Beckham's calibre.Full story: Daily Mail

However, Tottenham are also keen to sign 36-year-old Beckham, who trained with the north London club last winter, when his contract with LA Galaxy expires in November.Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham's hopes of signing Brazil international striker Leandro Damiao have hit a problem with the news that Spanish giants Barcelona have joined the race for his signature.Full story: talkSPORT

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will look to lure Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to White Hart Lane in January as he attempts to improve the club's attacking options.Full story: Caughtoffside.com

Former Sunderland midfielder Steed Malbranque, 31, is eyeing a return to the Premier League as a free agent following the termination of his ­two-year contract with St Etienne after only three weeks.Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is lining up a loan swoop on his former club for striker Nile Ranger. The 20-year-old played under Hughton at St James' Park and could head to Birmingham when the loan window opens on Thursday.Full story: the Sun

Premier League clubs Tottenham and Liverpool will face a fight with Serie A side Inter Milan for the signature of highly rated Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas.Full story: talkSPORT

Arsenal are showing interest in Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.Full story: Insidefutbol.comOTHER GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello is planning a dramatic shake-up of his squad to avoid a flop at next summer's 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.Full story: the Sun

Former England international Tony Cottee has called on the Football Association to get rid of Capello and bring in Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp. Capello is due to step down as England boss at the end of the 2012 European Championships.Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester United and England winger Ashley Young, 26, believes he and Wayne Rooney can terrorise Europe for club and country this season.Full story: the Sun

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has reacted angrily to suggestions that manager Arsene Wenger could be forced out of the club.Full story: Daily Mail

Raul Meireles has insisted he never wanted to leave Liverpool but admitted he jumped at the chance to join Chelsea, for £12m, when it became clear he would be sold.Full story: Daily Mail

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey believes the club's deadline-day signings, which included Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta and Germany defender Per Mertesacker, can get Arsenal back in the title race sooner rather than later.Full story: talkSPORT

Italy Under-21 international Fabio Borini's agent has claimed the former Chelsea striker - now at Roma - turned down a switch to Liverpool during the transfer window.Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester City striker John Guidetti has spoken of his joy at joining Dutch club Feyenoord on a season-long loan. The Sweden Under-21 international joined City in 2008 and spent time on loan at Championship side Burnley last season.Full story: talkSPORTAND FINALLY

A penalty from Al Ahly midfielder Amir Sayoud has been branded the worst ever, after he slipped in his run-up, saw the kick easily saved, and was then booked by the referee.Full story: Metro

The transfer window is shut, and won't open again until the winter. With this in mind, the tabloids aren't even bothering to make anything up at the moment, so all we've got for you today is this:

Arsenal are interested in the Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo. He's 26, a good decade older than the Barcelona youngster Gerard Deulofeu, a player Arsène Wenger is also sniffing around.

The Hoffenheim striker Vedad Ibisevic nearly joined Blackburn Rovers in the summer. He still may, come January.

Queens Park Rangers' Hogan Ephraim is off to Millwall. Rob Hulse, Danny Shittu and Martin Rowlands will follow him out of the door, although not necessarily in the same direction.

And – are you still here? – Tottenham Hotspur will rival QPR for the signature of David Beckham.

Fabio Capello claims England players got it mentally wrong against Wales on Tuesday night. Fernando Torres has been warned his Chelsea goal drought is a big threat to his international career. Gordon Taylor has called for a 'Rooney Rule' to ensure more black managers within English football. Mario Balotelli has been ordered by Italian police to explain his links to the country's Mafia. Roberto Mancini snapped up Owen Hargreaves for free because the Manchester City board turned off the cash tap. Tottenham are set to rival QPR's bid to snap up David Beckham when his contract expires in November. Alan Pardew has travelled to Switzerland to check out Basel winger Xherdan Shaqiri. Arsenal fancy Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo. Steed Malbranque is eyeing a return to the Premier League as a free agent. Slimline Nicklas Bendtner will prove he is a Premier League heavyweight, according to new boss Steve Bruce. Royston Drenthe claims he defied Jose Mourinho to join Everton from Real Madrid. Alex McLeish says Jermaine Jenas is looking "electric" at Aston Villa and is hungry to re-establish himself as one of England's top midfielders. Nigel Clough has landed a new three-year deal as Derby boss. Middlesbrough are planning a new bid for Coventry hitman Lukas Jutkiewicz. Former Derby defender Claude Davis is hoping to win a deal at Notts County. .. David Beckham to sign for in January Transfer Window. Click here to bet. ..Fabio Capello plans a dramatic England shake-up to avoid a flop at the Euro 2012 finals. Samir Nasri gave Manchester City a major scare as he went down in agony with a hand injury playing for France. Raul Meireles has insisted he never wanted to leave Liverpool. Roberto Mancini has revealed he was priced out of deadline-beating moves for midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Fernando Gago. Vedad Ibisevic could see his move to Blackburn back on in January. Cameron Jerome insists cash-strapped Birmingham City must get new owners if they are to return to the Premier League. Nigel Clough will be offered a new three-year contract after Derby's best start for 106 years. Steve McClaren wants West Brom defender Craig Dawson on loan at Nottingham Forest. Bristol City plan to offer their wantaway defender Liam Fontaine a new deal. Middlesbrough are set to make a fresh move for Coventry's Lukas Jutkiewicz. Mikael Forssell is set to be handed a contract to the end of the season by Leeds. Oxford will block loan bids from Bournemouth for James Constable after the striker snubbed a deadline-day move to Dean Court. ..Fabio Capello is worried that England's players do not have the mental strength to win Euro 2012. Frank Lampard's Chelsea place is under threat following the arrival of £12million Raul Meireles. Cameron Jerome has urged Carson Yeung to walk away from Birmingham - for the good of the club. Roberto Mancini was forced to take a gamble on free transfer Owen Hargreaves - after running out of cash to spend at the Etihad Stadium. Brendan Rodgers fears red tape could derail Swansea's survival bid - as they are still waiting to seal their deadline-day swoops. ..Fabio Capello is planning to rebuild his England team with younger players who do not carry the baggage of failure at past tournaments. Frank Lampard has insisted he will not give up on England and vowed to prove wrong those who have written off his international career. Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he is surprised by David De Gea's unsteady start at Manchester United. David Ngog admits he moved to Bolton last week because he had no future at Liverpool. Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni says he was offered the job of managing Libya before the civil war. Mario Balotelli's Manchester City career has taken another bizarre twist after the Italy striker was summoned as a witness in a high-profile mafia trial in Naples. ..Fabio Capello will forge ahead with creating a new-look England in time for Euro 2012 after deciding too many of his stars are mentally scarred by past failure. Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was courting controversy again yesterday - after being shown round a notorious suburb of Naples by Mafia mobsters. Liverpool are ready to aid the development of some of their brightest young talent by sending them to Uruguay as part of a link-up with Nacional. Cameron Jerome believes Carson Yeung has to relinquish his ownership of Birmingham City and find fresh investment if the club are to have a Premier League future. ..Fabio Capello has suggested the stuttering nature of England's unconvincing victory over Wales was evidence of mental fragility in his squad and will step up his attempts to reinvent the national team by integrating younger players once qualification for Euro 2012 has been achieved. ..Fabio Capello has admitted that he had a moment of clarity before Tuesday night's insipid 1-0 win over Wales at Wembley, when he realised that his England players' approach to the warm-up ahead was so bad that he feared for their performance in the Euro 2012 qualifier. Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that he took a risk by signing Owen Hargreaves after the need to bring the club in line with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regime prevented them bringing in the Argentine Fernando Gago from Real Madrid. ..Fabio Capello has concluded that England's squad needs a radical shake-up if the nation is to have any hope at the Euro 2012 finals of overcoming the burden of past failures. ..Fabio Capello will carry out a radical overhaul of the England squad once qualification for Euro 2012 is secured after deciding that too many senior players have failed to recover from the disappointment of last year's World Cup. ..Ex-Hearts star Deividas Cesnauskis last night vowed to help Scotland to Euro 2012 by leading Lithuania to victory over the Czechs again. Motherwell will ask fans to raise £1.5million - and vote two of them onto the board.

THE GUARDIAN: Fabio Capello has suggested the stuttering nature of England's unconvincing victory over Wales was evidence of mental fragility in his squad and will step up his attempts to reinvent the national team by integrating younger players once qualification for Euro 2012 has been achieved.

DAILY EXPRESS: Fabio Capello will forge ahead with creating a new-look England in time for Euro 2012 after deciding too many of his stars are mentally scarred by past failure. .

THE INDEPENDENT: Fabio Capello has admitted that he had a moment of clarity before Tuesday night's insipid 1-0 win over Wales at Wembley, when he realised that his England players' approach to the warm-up ahead was so bad that he feared for their performance in the Euro 2012 qualifier. Also: The Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that he took a risk by signing Owen Hargreaves after the need to bring the club in line with Uefa's Financial Fair Play regime prevented them bringing in the Argentine Fernando Gago from Real Madrid.

THE SUN: Fabio Capello plans a dramatic England shake-up to avoid a flop at next summer's Euro 2012 finals. Also: Samir Nasri gave Manchester City a major scare as he went down in agony with a hand injury playing for France.

THE TIMES: Fabio Capello has concluded that England's squad needs a radical shake-up if the nation is to have any hope at the Euro 2012 finals of overcoming the burden of past failures.

DAILY STAR: Fabio Capello is worried that England's players do not have the mental strength to win Euro 2012. Also: Frank Lampard's Chelsea place is under threat following the arrival of £12million Raul Meireles.

DAILY MIRROR: Fabio Capello claims England's players got it mentally wrong against Wales on Tuesday. Also: Fernando Torres has been warned his Chelsea goal drought is a big threat to his international career.

DAILY MAIL: Fabio Capello is planning to rebuild his England team with younger players who do not carry the baggage of failure at past tournaments. .

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Fabio Capello will carry out a radical overhaul of the England squad once qualification for Euro 2012 is secured after deciding that too many senior players have failed to recover from the disappointment of last year's World Cup. Also: Police are continuing to question six people over the death of a Wales football fan at Tuesday's European Championship qualifier at Wembley.